A Non Argument From A Vegan

We can argue the pros and cons of a vegan diet - there are arguments to be made for both sides from the agriculture aspect to the medical industry. I think I can safely say that the vast majority of the arguments support a vegan lifestyle - but I'm not writing (today) to convince anyone of this or to make converts. If someone is firmly entranced in a lifestyle pattern (and diet is a life style choice) than no words on my part will likely sway anyone. And that's fine. People come to certain truths in their own time and in many ways. I will say, however, that being vegan makes me incredibly happy. No words will ever be able to truly describe the freedom I feel to have finally broken free from the cycle of cruelty we all have participated in. Worse, for years I knew I needed to change and yet I hesitated for the simple and selfish reason of not wanting to give up the momentary pleasure of a single meal. And still worse, I found myself no longer enjoying the meal because of the conflict that battled within me. Sadly, I only changed when the pain far outweighed any pleasure I found from eating meat. I wish by reasons had been more noble.Once the choice was made their was very little looking back and the immediate sense of relief, increased mindfulness, and lightness of being was reward a reward I wasn't sure I earned but welcomed none the less. Several years later this excitement is still present everyday. Athletically I am at the top of my game, spiritually I am finally congruent with my beliefs - okay socially I'm a bit of an outcast - but I embrace that label happily. So no arguments here, not today. Just a story shared by a very grateful, happy person.


Peace,
Eric

Mindfulness With Running

Mindfulness with running - watch the breath, inhale and the release, feel the spine strong and supportive, scan the body and breathe into aches, and stiffness and pain. Don't seek to change anything. Watch, breathe, release and repeat. Listen. Inner sounds and outer sounds - release any inner commentary. Just listen. See. See without a point of view. Simply appreciate. Breathe. Let the miles go by.


Peace,
Eric

A Little Note On Karma

I often hear people declare their belief in karma or the oft stated expression "karma's a bitch" and think about how this subtle process has become so misunderstood in the west. The word karma is Sanskrit and means action it also refers to the dynamics of cause and effect. Again karma is very subtle, simple and yet intricate as well. Buddhist thought likens it to planting seeds that will sprout with the attention we give it. If we plant a seed of selfishness and water it with thoughts that nourish it to action then we faced with a selfish life and all the attributes that accompany such a life. It's not punishment - it's simply the results that we have fostered with our thoughts, intent and action. Another Buddhist thought that expands on this well is the Buddha's statement that we are not punished for our anger, but that anger itself is punishment. We reply or act in anger and it is reflected in our relationships and our health. That's karma. Wishing for results of karma to be made visible and strike someone down is planting the seeds of our own karmic reaping. Our only issue is our own karma and never another's - and as karmic interaction plays out we find that this concern reaches far into the interdependent nature of all beings. Indeed no man is an island and the karmic bell tolls for all - yet it is our own garden that we most tend so that others may share in the fruit of our care and compassion. Adding to this little note is the role forgiveness plays - it's important - forgiveness transcends karma. Forgiveness is the grace that lessens and erases the karmic bonds that tie us to the past and frees us to plant new seeds of love and compassion that will blossom in future gardens of hope and beauty. Forgive, plant anew and rejoice in the world of our making.


Peace,
Eric

Buddhism, Meditation, Forgiveness and Liberation

Forgiveness leads to freedom. True freedom. Interesting - today I read of the importance forgiveness plays in Buddhism, specifically, Buddhist meditation - forgiveness removes a major hindrance in the pursuit of deepening our meditation. In the deeper states of Jhana meditation we enter a blissful absorption that opens us to insights on the nature of reality and this in turn frees us from the grasping nature of the mundane. Except for one thing - resentments block our ability to accept and enter this state of bliss. We literally block our way from liberation with our resentments and judgments. The way to deal with this hindrance is to face is head on, examine the illusionary nature of its existence - how it depends on our thoughts to feed its continuation - and to accept it, illusion and all - it served a purpose of protection and comfort at one time but is no longer needed, no longer desired. We wish for something more now, we crave freedom in our inner world. With acceptance and examination comes forgiveness, love and the freedom to enter the blissful states of meditation that will lead to a compassionate, fulfilling life and yes, to liberation.


Peace,
Eric

Hard Choices - Training the Mind for Ultras

It's just as important to train the mind for ultra running as it is the body - some may say even more so for once the body is on the verge of giving out it's the mind alone that will keep it moving - or call it a day. I've written quiet a bit here about the limits of willpower - it being a finite source of energy and motivation - while learning to rely on spirit allows us to tap into the infinite source of power. It's the surrender of ego and allowance of spirit that will take us the farthest. That being said - willpower still has its role to play. It's willpower that will get us to the point of surrender, that will take us out for the final lap where spirit resides. To get to this place we need to learn to make hard decisions and learn to embrace discomfort. This is where our training starts - to make that choice of getting out of bed on a cold, wet morning and putting in the miles. We pick the harder route and steeper hills. We run on tired legs. We're training the mind to overrule the body and yet at the same time we must stay mindful of the bodies needs - it's a razors edge. It takes practice. It's our training. Race day is the meeting of body, mind and spirit. It all comes together.


Peace,
Eric

Broken

Heart,
Broken…yet made for
This alone.

`

Our hearts break from a sold wall of grief - inaccessible to all but our own needs - to the spaciousness of our true nature. In our ache for recognition we reach and recognize others as kin to our suffering. The clenched fist of despair becomes the spread of open fingers - grateful to receive. Our hearts were made to be broken, to be undone and again beat as something more, something greater, deeper than it was before. We were made for this alone.



We Need To Try Something Different

Three dead in a Mall shooting in my hometown today. I don't know what to say other than my heart goes out to the victims and all those affected by this act of violence. And that's all of us - everywhere. As John Donne stated - No man's an island - and no victim of violence is left alone. We all suffer and we are all less for this loss of life. I have no answers to the hard questions that are and need to be asked after these crimes. I have no wish to start nor participate in a debate on gun control. There is something going wrong right now and more guns is obviously not the answer. Nor is access to greater firepower. I am at a loss for answers. We all are. Nothing is working. It's time to try something different. Maybe we can all decide what that may be?


Peace,
Eric